Greatest Honor

Byzantine icon of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

In the Oriental or Eastern Churches, there is a commemoration of the entrance of Mary into the temple in Jerusalem from November 21st to the 25th. While the historicity of the event is debatable, I see a connection with it and what we’re doing at Inhora.

First, both Mary’s entrance into the temple and our work at Inhora depend on the loving support of the community. Mary left behind the comforts of home when she went to the temple. At the same time, it was beginning a new part of her life, all the while being supported by her community. In a similar way, Inhora volunteers and staff will be journeying with those facing the end of earthly life—and the beginning of the next life. No one should live or die in isolation. Unfortunately, there is a nefarious influence on our culture which isolates those who aren’t contributing to the “machine” of society in a profitable way. At Inhora, we believe that each person deserves to be cared for at every point in their life. Regardless of what their life has been, of how they have been treated before-hand, let us together provide them with love and dignity as they near death. Click here to learn how you can become a volunteer caregiver.

This commemoration was a type of “ribbon cutting” for Mary when, as a child, she made an outward expression of her total dedication to God. In a similar way, all of us who have worked quietly and devotedly to bring Inhora to fruition were able to celebrate a shared dedication to our Lord at Inhora’s ribbon cutting earlier this month. All of the behind-the-scenes prayers and labor to that point, brought us to that wonderful occasion in which the Inhora family was honored to share with the larger community (watch the KRQE video here).

Lastly, as I said during the ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this month, Inhora is dedicated to the most wonderful human to ever live: Mary the Theotokos—the Mother of Life. Following Mary’s example at her Son’s crucifixion, we will provide compassionate care to the suffering in their last days of life as well as reverence of their bodies after they die. I can’t think of a greater honor and gift.